The skinny: The Mules must replace the 52 seniors who helped last year’s team win a share of a district championship, but their roster is not exactly depleted. Proctor is a proven weapon as a 1,000-yard receiver, while Carabin and Cody Nelson are back to lead the defense after recording more than 100 tackles apiece in 2016.

The skinny: Returning to the third round of the playoffs — and getting past that point — is the plan for the Chargers. They have some holes to fill from last year’s district tri-champions, but they also have a prolific passer in Brin, two disruptive linemen in Collinsworth and Posey and a talented punter who can help them win the field-position battle.

The skinny: A rash of injuries last year contributed to a rare losing season for the Antlers, but they still rallied to reach the playoffs. With some key players back and others now healthy, namely Perez, don’t be surprised to see Tivy return to form and once again be a district-title contender.

Medina Valley Panthers

Coach: Chris Soza

2016 record: 5-5 overall, 3-4 district

Returning starters: 3 offense, 6 defense

Top returners: RB Caytan Chang, DL AJ Lopez, FS Cole Steubing

The skinny: The Panthers, entering their second season under Soza, hope to again contend for a playoff berth after narrowly missing out a year ago. With Chang and Devin Johnson in the backfield and some key returning players on the defensive line, Medina Valley will try to control the lines of scrimmage.

Seguin Matadors

Coach: Travis Bush

2016 record: 2-8 overall, 1-6 district

Returning starters: 4 offense, 6 defense

Top returners: LB Garrett Luensmann, RB Brandon Palomares

The skinny: The Matadors hope their second season under Bush will be their first winning one in more than a decade. Seguin has a strong foundation with Palomares, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards last year, and returning defensive players such as Luensmann, defensive tackle Keane Davis and defensive back Daryn Taylor.

District 28-5A

Brackenridge Eagles

Coach: Willie Hall

2016 record: 6-5 overall, 6-2 district

Returning starters: 4 offense, 4 defense

Top returners: QB Vince Gonzalez, LB Ruben Perez

The skinny: The Eagles, despite losing some key playmakers from a team that finished one game out of first place in 28-5A, look to again contend for the league title. Hall expects a stellar senior season from Omari Matthews, who will anchor the defense at outside linebacker along with contributing as a skill-position player on offense.

Burbank Bulldogs

Coach: Mark Perez

2016 record: 1-9 overall, 1-7 district

Returning starters: 6 offense, 8 defense

Top returners: QB Dylan Gusme, CB Carlos Covarrubias

The skinny: The Bulldogs return the bulk of their defense, which must improve after allowing nine of their 10 opponents last year to score at least 27 points. Burbank also hopes for more offensive firepower after averaging 5.8 points per game in 2016.

The skinny: The Bears have a new but familiar coach in Monreal, who spent the last five seasons as defensive coordinator. Edison graduated its leading passer and rusher from 2016 but has an experienced offensive line to lean on as it tries to push for a playoff berth a year after missing out on a tiebreaker.

The skinny: Willis takes over a program coming off a share of its first district championship in 16 years and has a roster capable of winning another. The Owls welcome back their quarterback in Palafos as well as Palomino, who rushed for 1,662 yards last year, but have some holes to fill up front.

Jefferson Mustangs

Coach: Edward Cardenas

2016 record: 2-8 overall, 2-6 district

Returning starters: 3 offense, 3 defense

Top returners: MLB Ian Garcia, RB/DB Jalen Pena

The skinny: The Mustangs struggled to compete against the top teams in the district last year, losing to the four playoff qualifiers by a combined 98 points. Garcia and Pena, Jefferson’s most productive returning players on each side of the ball, hope to lead a turnaround on a team that will have several newcomers in the lineup.

The skinny: The Rockets kept it close against 28-5A’s top three finishers last season, losing to each by less than a touchdown, and looks to break through. Kennedy returns its leading rusher in Domagalski and has some key playmakers back on defense, such as Garcia and Ezekiel Perez, who had three interceptions a year ago.

Lanier Voks

Coach: Don Gatian

2016 record: 7-4 overall, 7-1 district

Returning starters: 5 offense, 4 defense

Top returners: QB J.D. Boone, RB Christian Cervantes, DE Ozzy Torres

The skinny: The Voks were a success story in 2016, rebounding from a one-win season to claim a share of a district title and look to continue their turnaround. Lanier returns its top two offensive playmakers in Boone and Cervantes, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, and they should provide somewhat of a safety net for a young offensive line.

Memorial Minutemen

Coach: Kemmie Lewis

2016 record: 0-10 overall, 0-8 district

Returning starters: 9 offense, 9 defense

Top returners: RB Adarius Brady, DB Juan Garza

The skinny: The Minutemen return most of their starters from 2016. Players such as Brady and quarterback Anthony Esparza provide hope, as do speedsters Adrian and Carlos Urdiales.

Sam Houston Hurricanes

Coach: Melton Schultz

2016 record: 6-5 overall, 5-3 district

Returning starters: 3 offense, 3 defense

Top returners: DE Garland Coleman, RB Josh Harris

The skinny: The Hurricanes lost some productive players from last year’s playoff team, namely two-way standout Jawon Anderson, but have plenty of talent remaining. Harris figures to be an offensive catalyst after rushing for 10 touchdowns and about 800 yards last year, while Coleman is a disruptive presence up front.

District 29-5A

Floresville Tigers

Coach: Andrew Rohrs

2016 record: 5-6 overall, 4-1 district

Returning starters: 6 offense, 7 defense

Top returners: QB Darian Mayberry, DE T.J. Gunter

The skinny: The Tigers won a share of the district championship in their first season under Rohrs and could be considered the favorite this year. The focal point of their offense is Mayberry, who accounted for 16 touchdowns and nearly 1,600 total yards as a freshman last year, and Rohrs said the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Gunter will be hard for opponents to handle.

Harlandale Indians

Coach: Albert Torres

2016 record: 4-6 overall, 1-4 district

Returning starters: 5 offense, 4 defense

Top returners: S Sergio Abarca, OL Trisdon Fuentes, WR Steven Ruiz

The skinny: Torres left his alma mater (Edison) to succeed longtime Indians coach Isaac Martinez, and he’s altering their offensive identity with a no-huddle, hurry-up offense. Leading that attack will be quarterback Steven Benitez and receivers Ruiz and Franklyn Castano, all of whom are returning starters.

McCollum Cowboys

Coach: Greg Felux

2016 record: 2-8 overall, 1-4 district

Returning starters: 4 offense, 6 defense

Top returners: RB Jonathan Handy, DB Ryan Valdez, WR Eric Laija

The skinny: The Cowboys struggled but also showed promise last year, beating one of the district co-champions and falling by fewer than 10 points in three of their four losses in league play. McCollum has a pair of proven playmakers in Handy, a 1,000-yard rusher last season, and its leader in tackles and interceptions in Valdez.

The skinny: The Cardinals graduated offensive catalyst Matthew Collier, who finished his career with nearly 6,000 rushing yards, but Eddie Perez is ready to take the reins at running back. Southside’s defense is well-anchored with the return of linebackers Sendejo, Jared Espinoza and Michael Rodriguez.

Uvalde Coyotes

Coach: R.T. Gonzales

2016 record: 7-4 overall, 3-2 district

Returning starters: 5 offense, 7 defense

Top returners: QB Michael Mata, RB/LB David Rodriguez

The skinny: The Coyotes qualified for the playoffs in each of their five seasons under Gary Griffin, but lost in the first round each time. Gonzales, a Uvalde graduate and former assistant coach for Griffin, hopes to take the program to the next level and inherited some proven playmakers who can help that cause.